How to apply for your long stay visa (student visa) for more than 3 months ?
(Etudes en France process for Pre-consular files)
The long stay student visa
If you are not a national of a European Economic Area country (European Union country and Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) or of Switzerland, you must request a student long stay visa to study, conduct research or do an internship in France for more than 3 months.
- Long Term Visa used as Residence Permit (VLS-TS) (Visa Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour)
This visa allows you to remain in France for one year without needing to request a residency permit. You will still have to have your visa approved on arrival. Depending on the nature of your stay, there are three types of long stay visas:
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the student VLS-TS for studies at the Bachelor's and Master's level;
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the Talent passport VLS-TS for a doctorate and beyond (for this procedure, please refer to the article "Apply to PhD / Research Visa"
Applying for Student Visa from Pakistan
The student visa process application must be well prepared. Once you get an admission in a French higher education institution, and at least three months before your intended departure, you have to prepare the student visa application:
Students can apply for visa who have already received their admission letter.
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Create your account on Etudes en France Platform Create Your Account
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Log In, https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance/dyn/public/login.html
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Start with the application “ I am accepted” & fill the application with all required information and documents
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Submit your file on the Etudes en France (EEF) Platform 60 days before the academic intake date mentioned in your finale admission letter.
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Pay the registration fee of 30.000 PKR (You’ll get 50% reduction on your visa fee)
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Go to the France visas website to fill the visa application https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/pk
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Print the visa application, the validation of your EEF file and EEF payment proof, visit AEG for your visa appointment https://frenchvisa.aeg.com.pk/
1- What are the required documents to apply for the student visa?
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International Passport/ Original |
The International passport must be valid for all the period of trip to France with a minimum of 15 months from start of program in France. |
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Recent ID passport-size photographs (colour, clear background) / 3 copies |
The photographs will be attached with the visa application form. |
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Visa application form / 2 copies |
You will get the form from the website of the French Embassy |
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Admission letter from the French Institution / 1 copy |
Without admission letter in a French higher education institution, you cannot apply for a student visa |
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Personal Bank Statement of the LAST 6 MONTHS OR Affidavit of guarantor / original + Bank Statement of the guarantor of the last 6 months / 1 copy |
A minimum of 615 euros/month is required to cover your expenses in France
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Certificate of accommodation (if available) / 1 copy
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The accommodation certificate must mention : • Your name • The address of the accommodation • The dates (that should cover the duration of your course) If an individual is offering you accommodation, submit:
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Curriculum Vitae / 1 copy |
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Cover letter / 1 copy |
The cover letter has to offer evidence of your motivation to join France for your studies. |
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University Certificates & Transcripts |
The transcripts are very important. |
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Copy of all pages of passport /1 copy |
Every single page has to be copied |
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OFII form with the upper half duly completed by the visa applicant: http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/IMG/pdf/LS-01d_formulaire_ofii.pdf
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Family Registration Certificate |
This document has to be requested from NADRA |
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Money for the visa fees |
The money will be paid at the visa section. |
2- What is the Academic Pre-Consular interview all about?
The aim of the interview held at by Campus France Pakistan officers within the Campus France Pakistan antennas (Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad) or at the Cultural & Cooperation Service of the Embassy of France is to assess the educational project of the candidate and to pre-check his file.
All other aspects of your file will be assessed by the visa section that will make the final decision for the visa.
3- What do I do after the preliminary interview?
From the moment you submit your file, it takes the visa section approximately 10 to 30 working days to process your visa. You will be notified to collect your passport from AEG FRENCH VISA centre once the decision is made.
For further information, kindly contact Campus France Pakistan Officers
